Universal funnel

ABSTRACT

A universal funnel comprises a tapered hollow body and a tube-like enclosure. The tapered hollow body has an exterior and an interior and has a wide end defining a wide inlet opening and a narrow end defining a narrow outlet opening. The tube-like enclosure has an exterior and an interior and has one end defining an attached end and the other end defining an opened end. The size of the attached end of the tube-like enclosure is larger than the size of the narrow outlet opening of the tapered hollow body. And the size of the attached end of the tube-like enclosure is equal to or smaller than the size of the wide inlet opening of the tapered hollow body. The attached end of the tube-like enclosure is attached to the exterior surface of the tapered hollow body by first introducing the narrow outlet opening of the tapered hollow body into the attached end of the tube-like enclosure till the attached end of the tube-like enclosure is in contact with the exterior surface of the tapered hollow body. The tube-like enclosure is long enough in order to keep the narrow outlet opening of the tapered hollow body inside and away from the opened end of the tube-like enclosure. Therefore, the universal funnel can be used for transferring liquids into bottles or separating a mixture of liquids of different specific gravities, e.g. oil and water; oil is a light weight liquid and water is a heavy weight liquid.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to funnels for transferring liquids into bottles or for separating a mixture of liquids of different specific gravities, e.g. oil and water.

2. Description of Prior Art

Funnels are used to transfer liquids from one container to another container. Because of the narrow neck of a bottle, usually one hand is required to keep the funnel in place and, at the same time, to hold the narrow neck of the bottle to avoid spilling while transferring liquids into bottles.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,688,347 B1 to Theodore W. Selby discloses a self-supporting, adjustable funnel. The support of the funnel sits on the top of a storage vessel and the drain of the funnel must be stretched out of the lower support edge of the support to avoid spilling. This configuration applies to a storage vessel with a sufficient flat top so that the support of the funnel can be settled. However, the configuration does not apply to a storage vessel which having no sufficient flat top, such as a bottle.

The present invention will improve funnel's stability without a hand to keep the funnel in place when transferring liquids into bottles.

Over the years, various approaches have been proposed for removing light weight liquid from a mixture of liquids of different specific gravities, e.g. separating oil from an oil/water mixture; oil is a light weight liquid and water is a heavy weight liquid. One popular approach is to apply oil adhesive materials on the surface of cloths or drums. A rotating structure is made to allow the cloths or drums dipping into the oil/water mixture. Above the oil/water mixture, an oil removing device is used to remove oil from the surfaces of cloths or drums. The oil removing devices for example, could be rollers pressing the cloths or blades scraping the drum surfaces. In general, it has been found that this approach lacks the separation efficiency and separation throughput. The worn-out cloths require replacement and the worn-out drum surfaces need to be resurfaced.

The other approaches include oil filtering, chemical treatment and oil burning. Over a period of time, the oil filtering facility needs maintenance. The chemical treatment is costly. The oil burning pollutes environments.

The present invention will improve the efficiency and throughput of separating oil from an oil/water mixture. Further more, the present invention is reusable, minimum maintenance and environmental friendly.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention a universal funnel comprises a tapered hollow body and a tube-like enclosure. One end of the tube-like enclosure is attached to the exterior surface of the tapered hollow body to become a device for providing the stability of the tapered hollow body when transferring liquids into bottles. Also, the device can be used for separating a mixture of liquids of different specific gravities, e.g. oil and water.

DRAWING FIGURES

Brief description of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a universal funnel which having additional components—a filter and a spout.

FIG. 2 is a universal funnel comprises a tapered hollow body and a tube-like enclosure.

FIG. 3 is a universal funnel comprises a tapered hollow body and a tube-like enclosure. In addition, the tapered hollow body has a filter attached to its wide inlet opening and a spout attached to its narrow outlet opening.

FIG. 4 is a universal funnel comprises a tapered hollow body and a tube-like enclosure. The universal funnel is used for transferring liquids into bottles.

FIG. 5 is a universal funnel comprises a tapered hollow body and a tube-like enclosure. In addition, the tapered hollow body has a spout attached to its narrow outlet opening. The universal funnel is used for transferring liquids into bottles.

FIG. 6 is a universal funnel comprises a tapered hollow body and a tube-like enclosure. The universal funnel is partially dipped into an oil/water mixture. The snapshot shows the universal funnel concentrates oil into the narrow outlet opening area of the tapered hollow body.

FIG. 7 is a universal funnel comprises a tapered hollow body and a tube-like enclosure. In addition, the tapered hollow body has a spout attached to its narrow outlet opening. The snapshot shows the universal funnel reaches the surface of an oil/water mixture.

FIG. 8 is a universal funnel comprises a tapered hollow body and a tube-like enclosure. In addition, the tapered hollow body has a spout attached to its narrow outlet opening. The universal funnel is partially dipped into an oil/water mixture. The snapshot shows the universal funnel concentrates oil into the narrow outlet opening area and the spout of the tapered hollow body.

FIG. 9 is a universal funnel comprises a tapered hollow body and a tube-like enclosure. In addition, the tapered hollow body has a spout attached to its narrow outlet opening. The universal funnel is further dipped into an oil/water mixture. The snapshot shows oil is forced to flow out of the spout and collected into the cup of the universal funnel.

FIG. 10 is a universal funnel comprises a tapered hollow body and a tube-like enclosure. In addition, the tapered hollow body has a spout attached to its narrow outlet opening. The tube-like enclosure is in a hollow frustum shape. The universal funnel is used for transferring liquids into bottles.

FIG. 11 is a universal funnel comprises a tapered hollow body and a tube-like enclosure. In addition, the tapered hollow body has a spout attached to its narrow outlet opening. The tube-like enclosure is in a hollow frustum shape. The universal funnel is used for separating a mixture of liquids of different specific gravities, e.g. oil and water.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

-   -   10 universal funnel     -   100 tapered hollow body     -   110 wide inlet opening     -   120 narrow outlet opening     -   130 spout     -   200 tube-like enclosure     -   210 attached end     -   220 opened end     -   300 filter     -   400 cup

DESCRIPTION

A preferred embodiment of a universal funnel 10 of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 2. The universal funnel 10 comprises a tapered hollow body 100 tube-like enclosure 200. The tapered hollow body 100 has an exterior and an interior and has a wide end defining a wide inlet opening 110 and a narrow and defining a narrow outlet opening 120. The tube-like enclosure 200 has an exterior and an interior and has one end defining an attached end 210 and the other end defining an opened end 220.

The size of the attached end 210 of the tube-like enclosure 200 is larger than the size of the narrow outlet opening 120 of the tapered hollow body 100. And the size of the attached end 210 of the tube-like enclosure 200 is equal to or smaller than the size of the wide inlet opening 110 of the tapered hollow body 100.

The attached end 210 of the tube-like enclosure 200 is joined to the exterior surface of the tapered hollow body 100 by, first, introducing the narrow outlet opening 120 of the tapered hollow body 100 into the attached end 210 of the tube-like enclosure 200 till the attached end 210 of the tube-like enclosure 200 is in contact with the exterior surface of the tapered hollow body 100.

As shown in FIG. 3, an additional spout 130 can be attached to the narrow outlet opening 120 of the tapered hollow body 100 to facilitate channeling the flow of liquids into bottles as shown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 8, when the universal funnel 10 is used to separate a mixture of liquids of different specific gravities, e.g. oil and water, the spout 130 of the tapered hollow body 100 will further concentrate the light weight liquid of the mixture of liquids of different specific gravities, e.g. oil and water. And also, the spout 130 will increase the volume of a cup 400 which is bounded by the tube-like enclosure 200, the tapered hollow body 100, and, in addition, the spout 130.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6, the tube-like enclosure 200 must be long enough so that a sufficient space will be kept between the narrow outlet opening 120 of the tapered hollow body 100 and the opened end 220 of the tube-like enclosure 200. In other words, the narrow outlet opening 120 of the tapered hollow body 100 must be kept inside the tube-like enclosure 200. And also, the narrow outlet opening 120 of the tapered hollow body 100 must be kept away from the opened end 220 of the tube-like enclosure 200. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 4, the tube-like enclosure 200 will serve as a fence surrounding the narrow neck of a bottle to prevent the tapered hollow body 100 from over tilting or falling when transferring liquids into bottles. As shown in FIG. 6, when the universal funnel 10 is used for separating a mixture of liquids of different specific gravities, e.g. oil and water, the sufficient space between the narrow outlet opening 120 of the tapered hollow body 100 and the opened end 220 of the tube-like enclosure 200 will prevent the mixture of liquids from flowing over the opened end 220 of the tube-like enclosure 200 while the light weight liquid of the mixture of liquids being concentrated and collected into the cup 400.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, when the additional spout 130 is attached to the narrow outlet opening 120 of the tapered hollow body 100, the tube-like enclosure 200 must be long enough so that a sufficient space will be kept between the spout 130 of the tapered hollow body 100 and the opened end 220 of the tube-like enclosure 200. In other words, the spout 130 of the tapered hollow body 100 must be kept inside the tube-like enclosure 200. And also, the spout 130 of the tapered hollow body 100 must be kept away from the opened end 220 of the tube-like enclosure 200. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5, the tube-like enclosure 200 will serve as a fence surrounding the narrow neck of a bottle to prevent the tapered hollow body 100 from over tilting or falling when transferring liquids into bottles. As shown in FIG. 9, when the universal funnel 10 is used for separating a mixture of liquids of different specific gravities, e.g. oil and water, the sufficient space between the spout 130 of the tapered hollow body 100 and the opened end 220 of the tube-like enclosure 200 will prevent the mixture of liquids from flowing over the opened end 220 of the tube-like enclosure 200 while the light weight liquid of the mixture of liquids being concentrated and collected into the cup 400.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, an additional filter 300 can be attached to the wide inlet opening 110 of the tapered hollow body 100 in order to separate out unwanted matter.

Operation

Funnels are used for catching and directing a downward flow of liquids, for example, transferring liquids into storage vessels. When the storage vessels are bottles, usually one hand is required for keeping the funnel in place and, at the same time, holding the narrow neck of the bottle for stabilization in order to avoid spilling while transferring liquids into bottles.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the tube-like enclosure 200 serves as a fence surrounding the narrow neck of a bottle. Since the attached end 210 of the tube-like enclosure 200 is joined to the exterior surface of the tapered hollow body 100, the tapered hollow body 100 is prevented from over tilting and falling accordingly.

Traditionally, funnels are used for catching and directing a downward flow of liquids. However, if the tapered hollow body 100 is kept in a position where the wide inlet opening 110 downward and the narrow outlet opening 120 upward, the tapered hollow body 100 can function as a concentrator. This concentration function can be used to separate a mixture of liquids of different specific gravities, e.g. oil and water. As shown in FIG. 6, the cup 400 is bounded by the tube-like enclosure 200 and the tapered hollow body 100. As shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the spout 130 is attached to the narrow outlet opening 120 of the tapered hollow body 100. Therefore, the cup 400 is bounded by the tube-like enclosure 200, the tapered hollow body 100, and the spout 130.

To illustrate the operation of separating a mixture of liquids of different specific gravities, an oil/water mixture is used as an example. In this example, oil is light weight liquid and water is heavy weight liquid. As shown in FIG. 7, the universal funnel 10 is slightly dipped into the oil/water mixture. As shown in FIG. 8, when the universal funnel 10 is dipped further, oil begins concentrating toward the narrow outlet opening 120 of the tapered hollow body 100. When the universal funnel 10 is dipped further more, oil begins concentrating into the inside of the spout 130. As shown in FIG. 9, when the dipping continues, oil concentrated inside the spout 130 will be forced out of the spout 130 and flow into the cup 400. The depth of dipping can be controlled by visual observation or a sensor equipped machine. The operation can be repeated at the same location since oil tends to even up above the water surface. Or the universal funnel 10 can be moved and operated in another location.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

Accordingly, the reader will see that the universal funnel 10 of this invention can be used for providing stability of the tapered hollow body 100 when transferring liquids into bottles. Or this invention can be used for separating a mixture of liquids of different specific gravities, e.g. oil and water. Furthermore, the universal funnel 10 has the additional advantages in that

-   -   it is scalable; for example, the miniaturized universal funnel         10 can be used to remove a thin layer of oil from a soup. For         example, the thickness of oil is T=0.1 inches, the radius of the         wide inlet opening 110 of the tapered hollow body 100 is R=1.5         inches and the radius of the spout 130 of the tapered hollow         body 100 is r=0.25 inches, the volume of oil to be concentrated         is equal to V=(π)×(R²)×(T)=(3.14)×(1.5)×(1.5)×(0.1)=0.71 cubical         inches. When oil is concentrated into the spout 130 of the         tapered hollow body 100, the thickness of oil becomes         (V/(π)×(r²) )=0.71/(3.14×0.25×0.25)=3.6 inches. With visual         observation, oil can be forced out of the spout 130 and         collected into the cup 400 by dipping the universal funnel 10         into the soup.     -   It is simple in structure, inexpensive in production, and ease         of use.     -   Since the universal funnel 10 is simple in structure, the         modularized tapered hollow bodies 100 and the modularized         tube-like enclosures 200 can be in different sizes and shapes.         And the modularized tapered hollow bodies 100 and the         modularized tube-like enclosures 200 can be interchangeable to         fit a variety of bottles for liquids transferring or to fit in a         variety of environments for separating a mixture of liquids of         different specific gravities, e.g. oil and water.

Although the description above containing many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For examples, the tube-like enclosure 200 of the universal funnel 10 is a tube-like device which can be in different shapes, for examples: a cylindrical shape as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, a frustum shape as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a barrel shape, and so on. The tapered hollow body 100 can be in different shapes as well, for examples: a cone shape or an ogive shape with the pointy section cut off.

Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given. 

1-10. (canceled)
 11. A universal funnel for transferring a liquid into a long narrow neck bottle, e.g. a wine bottle, and for separating a mixture of liquids of different specific gravities, e.g. oil and water, comprising: (a) a tapered hollow body with an exterior and an interior and having a wide end defining a wide inlet opening and a narrow end defining a narrow outlet opening; the exterior adjacent to said narrow outlet opening of said tapered hollow body will be engaged in resting position against the mouth of the long narrow neck bottle so that said tapered hollow body will nest on the mouth of the long narrow neck bottle; (b) a tube-like enclosure with an exterior and an interior and having one end defining an attached end and the other end defining an opened end; the diameter of said tube-like enclosure is equal to the diameter of said wide inlet opening of said tapered hollow body; (c) a connection means for attaching said attached end of said tube-like enclosure to the exterior surface of said tapered hollow body by introducing said narrow outlet opening of said tapered hollow body into said attached end of said tube-like enclosure till said attached end of said tube-like enclosure is in contact with the exterior surface of said tapered hollow body; said tube-like enclosure is long enough so that said narrow outlet opening of said tapered hollow body is kept inside of said tube-like enclosure and said narrow outlet opening of said tapered hollow body is kept away from said opened end of said tube-like enclosure for a sufficient distance; whereby, when the universal funnel is used for transferring a liquid into a long narrow neck bottle, said wide inlet opening of said tapered hollow body will receive the liquid; said narrow outlet opening of said tapered hollow body will channel the liquid into the mouth of the long narrow neck bottle; and said tube-like enclosure will serve as a fence remotely surrounding the long narrow neck of the bottle to prevent the universal funnel from falling or tilting off; whereby, when the universal funnel is used for separating a mixture of liquids of different specific gravities, the light weight liquid of the mixture will be concentrated at said narrow outlet opening of said tapered hollow body; a cup will be formed and bounded by said tapered hollow body and said tube-like enclosure for collecting the separated light weight liquid; the space between said narrow outlet opening of said tapered hollow body and said opened end of said tube-like enclosure will prevent the mixture of liquids from flowing over said opened end of said tube-like enclosure while the light weight liquid of the mixture being concentrated and collected.
 12. The universal funnel of claim 11, wherein said tube-like enclosure is further extended longitudinally; whereby, when the universal funnel is used for transferring the liquid into the long narrow neck bottle, the extension of said tube-like enclosure will further prevent the universal funnel from falling or tilting off the long narrow neck of the bottle; and the stability of nesting said tapered hollow body on the mouth of the long narrow neck bottle will be further strengthened; whereby, when the universal funnel is used for separating a mixture of liquids of different specific gravities, the extension of said tube-like enclosure will further prevent the mixture of liquids from flowing over said opened end of said tube-like enclosure so that the universal funnel can dip further into the mixture of liquids in which the light weight liquid has a thicker layer.
 13. The universal funnel of claim 11, wherein the universal funnel further comprising a spout attached to said narrow outlet opening of said tapered hollow body; said tube-like enclosure is long enough so that said spout is kept inside said tube-like enclosure and also said spout is kept away from said opened end of said tube-like enclosure for a sufficient distance; whereby, when the universal funnel is used for transferring a liquid into a long narrow neck bottle, said spout will be inserted into the mouth of the long narrow neck bottle to facilitate the liquid flow; whereby, when the universal funnel is used for separating a mixture of liquids of different specific gravities, said spout will raise the depth of said cup which is formed and bounded by said tube-like enclosure, said tapered hollow body, and in addition, said spout.
 14. The universal funnel of claim 13, wherein said tube-like enclosure is further extended longitudinally; whereby, when the universal funnel is used for transferring the liquid into the long narrow neck bottle, the extension of said tube-like enclosure will further prevent the universal funnel from falling or tilting off the long narrow neck of the bottle; and the stability of nesting the tapered hollow body on the mouth of the long narrow neck bottle will be further strengthened; whereby, when the universal funnel is used for separating a mixture of liquids of different specific gravities, the extension of said tube-like enclosure will further prevent the mixture of liquids from flowing over said opened end of said tube-like enclosure so that the universal funnel can dip further into the mixture of liquids in which the light weight liquid has a thicker layer.
 15. A universal funnel for transferring a liquid into a long narrow neck bottle such as a cork sealed wine bottle and for separating a mixture of liquids of different specific gravities, e.g. oil and water, comprising: (a) a tapered hollow body with an exterior and an interior and having a wide end defining a wide inlet opening and a narrow end defining a narrow outlet opening; the exterior adjacent to said narrow outlet opening of said tapered hollow body will be engaged in resting position against the mouth of the long narrow neck bottle so that said tapered hollow body will nest on the mouth of the long narrow neck bottle; (b) a tube-like enclosure with an exterior and an interior and having one end defining an attached end and the other end defining an opened end; the diameter of said tube-like enclosure is equal to the diameter of said wide inlet opening of said tapered hollow body; (c) a connection means for attaching said attached end of said tube-like enclosure to the exterior surface of said tapered hollow body by introducing said narrow outlet opening of said tapered hollow body into said attached end of said tube-like enclosure till said attached end of said tube-like enclosure is in contact with the exterior surface of said tapered hollow body; said tube-like enclosure is long enough so that said narrow outlet opening of said tapered hollow body is kept inside of said tube-like enclosure and said narrow outlet opening of said tapered hollow body is kept away from said opened end of said tube-like enclosure for a sufficient distance; whereby, when the universal funnel is used for transferring a liquid into a long narrow neck bottle, said wide inlet opening of said tapered hollow body will receive the liquid; said narrow outlet opening of said tapered hollow body will channel the liquid into the mouth of the long narrow neck bottle; and said tube-like enclosure will serve as a fence remotely surrounding the long narrow neck of the bottle to prevent the universal funnel from falling or tilting off; whereby, when the universal funnel is used for separating a mixture of liquids of different specific gravities, the light weight liquid of the mixture will be concentrated at said narrow outlet opening of said tapered hollow body; a cup will be formed and bounded by said tapered hollow body and said tube-like enclosure for collecting the separated light weight liquid; the space between said narrow outlet opening of said tapered hollow body and said opened end of said tube-like enclosure will prevent the mixture of liquids from flowing over said opened end of said tube-like enclosure while the light weight liquid of the mixture being concentrated and collected.
 16. The universal funnel of claim 15, wherein said tube-like enclosure is further extended longitudinally; whereby, when the universal funnel is used for transferring the liquid into the long narrow neck bottle, the extension of said tube-like enclosure will further prevent the universal funnel from falling or tilting off the long narrow neck of the bottle; and the stability of nesting said tapered hollow body on the mouth of the long narrow neck bottle will be further strengthened; whereby, when the universal funnel is used for separating a mixture of liquids of different specific gravities, the extension of said tube-like enclosure will further prevent the mixture of liquids from flowing over said opened end of said tube-like enclosure so that the universal funnel can dip further into the mixture of liquids in which the light weight liquid has a thicker layer.
 17. The universal funnel of claim 15, wherein the universal funnel further comprising a spout attached to said narrow outlet opening of said tapered hollow body; said tube-like enclosure is long enough so that said spout is kept inside said tube-like enclosure and also said spout is kept away from said opened end of said tube-like enclosure for a sufficient distance; whereby, when the universal funnel is used for transferring a liquid into a long narrow neck bottle, said spout will be inserted into the mouth of the long narrow neck bottle to facilitate the liquid flow; whereby, when the universal funnel is used for separating a mixture of liquids of different specific gravities, said spout will raise the depth of said cup which is formed and bounded by said tube-like enclosure, said tapered hollow body, and in addition, said spout.
 18. The universal funnel of claim 17, wherein said tube-like enclosure is further extended longitudinally; whereby, when the universal funnel is used for transferring the liquid into the long narrow neck bottle, the extension of said tube-like enclosure will further prevent the universal funnel from falling or tilting off the long narrow neck of the bottle; and the stability of nesting the tapered hollow body on the mouth of the long narrow neck bottle will be further strengthened; whereby, when the universal funnel is used for separating a mixture of liquids of different specific gravities, the extension of said tube-like enclosure will further prevent the mixture of liquids from flowing over said opened end of said tube-like enclosure so that the universal funnel can dip further into the mixture of liquids in which the light weight liquid has a thicker layer. 